Australia Palestine Advocacy Network

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Des Hardman, Labor candidate for Forde

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

I note the deep concerns you have and I recognise the special circumstances of the Palestinian people, their desire for respect, and the achievement of their legitimate aspiration to live in independence in a State of their own.

Labor supports all genuine efforts toward a negotiated settlement between the parties to the conflict, based on international frameworks, laws and norms.

The Abbott-Turnbull Government has failed to provide clear leadership on Australia’s contribution to progressing peace between Israel and Palestine.

Labor supports moves to achieve an enduring and just two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the right of Israel to live in peace within secure borders internationally recognised and agreed by the parties, and reflecting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to also live in peace and security within their own State.

Labor supports efforts to achieve a resolution of the conflict based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, a time frame to end Israeli occupation, demilitarisation of Palestinian territory, agreement on a solution to Palestinian refugee issues, and a resolution of the issue of Jerusalem’s final status

Labor recognises that a lasting peace will require a future State of Palestine to acknowledge the right of Israel to exist and the State of Israel to recognise the right of Palestine to exist.

If there is no progress in the next round of the peace process, a Shorten Labor Government will discuss joining like-minded nations who have already recognised Palestine and announce the conditions and timelines for the Australian recognition of a Palestinian State with the objective of contributing to peace and security in the Middle East.

Labor in government will continue to recognise that settlement building by Israel in the Occupied Territories, that may undermine a two-state solution, is a roadblock to peace. Labor calls on Israel to cease all such settlement expansion to support renewed negotiations toward peace.

Labor rejects the boycotts, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel.

There is no place for violence in this process. A solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict must come through negotiation, based on international frameworks, laws and norms.